There’s something extra special about the first blog post of a new year — a fresh start, new ideas, and (let’s be honest) a little craft room daydreaming.
Today I’m sharing 14 of my most-used, most-loved cardmaking supplies for 2026. These aren’t just trendy products — they’re the tools I reach for again and again. If you’re stocking your craft room, refining your supplies, or just love seeing what other cardmakers actually use, this list is for you.
1. Favorite Card Kit Subscription: Spellbinders Large Die of the Month
If I had to choose one subscription kit to keep, this would be it. The Spellbinders Large Die of the Month never disappoints, and January’s kit — Hummingbird Delight — truly lives up to its name.
This kit features a beautiful floral postage / polaroid-style frame paired with the cutest hummingbirds. We get loads of hummingbirds in my garden every summer, so this theme instantly stole my heart. The floral border alone makes the card feel finished and elegant with very little effort.
✨ Runner-Up Favorite Subscription:
The very first kit I ever ordered — Hero Arts My Monthly Hero, now available in two versions for 2026:
2. Best Die Cutting Machine: Spellbinders Platinum 6
I use my Platinum 6 die cutting machine almost every single day. I’ve tried other machines over the years, but this one is reliable, smooth, and powerful. The others? They’re collecting dust.
3. Best Cardstock: Spellbinders ColorWheel Cardstock
With 48 gorgeous colors, ColorWheel cardstock makes color selection easy and stress-free. I use it almost exclusively.
I recently placed a big order and am sharing a photo of my shipment, including:
- Full 48-Color Pack
- Cool Assortment Pack
- Warm Assortment Pack
- Celestial
- Oceanside (a forever favorite!)
4. Best Planning Tool: Swatching Dies
I use my swatching dies on nearly every project. Being able to flip through physical cardstock swatches saves time and helps me confidently choose colors that work together.
👉 Find all the details in my original swatching post
Key Swatching Products:
You’ll see these swatches featured throughout this post.
5. Best Inspiration Tool: Color Cubes
Color planning is always my starting point, and Color Cubes are essential to my process. I own two volumes (1&2), a birthday gift from several years ago, and they’re well loved.
I like to start with the Color Catalogue where I can search by Color, Key Word or Collection and then I grab a few cards for inspiration.
Paired with my cardstock swatches, they make choosing beautiful color palettes effortless.
👉 Find all the details and dies used in this Be Beautiful Blooms post
6. Best Inks: Hero Arts Reactive & Core Inks
I have a large tub of Hero Arts inks — and honestly, I rarely reach for anything else. The colors are vibrant, blend beautifully, and are incredibly reliable.
Some favorites:
7. Best Blending Brushes: Waffle Flower
I love that Waffle Flower blending brushes have color-coded handles, so I instantly know which brush goes with which ink family. Small detail, huge time saver.
8. Best Die-Cutting Staple: Hero Arts Infinity Dies
Nesting infinity dies are true craft room staples, and I use mine constantly. I’ll be linking to 8 of my most-used sets in this post with my most used at the top. I’ll also link to a card using each die.
- Rounded Rectangle Infinity Dies – Hydrangea Card
- Nesting Rectangle Infinity Dies – Elf Card
- Nesting Postage Stamp – On The Shelf Card
- Tag Infinity Dies – Light Up Tag
- Nesting Circle Infinity Dies – Get Well Card
- Nesting Heart Infinity Dies – Valentine
- Journaling Photo Frame Infinity Dies – Mixed Media Valentine
- Rounded Jewel Infinity Dies – Thank You Card
If you’re building a die collection, start here.
9. Best Embellishment: Enamel Dots
Hands down my favorite finishing touch. I use Spellbinders and Hero Arts enamel dots the most — clean, modern, and endlessly versatile.
10. Best Way to Add Texture: Embossing Folders
Embossing folders are one of the easiest ways to add interest to a card. I subscribe to the Spellbinders Embossing Folder of the Month, and my collection has grown quickly.
I used January’s folder, Cloud Nine, on my Hummingbird card. It’s a stylized sky with clouds — perfect for so many scene cards.
11. Best Desk Organizer: Hero Tools Handy Holder
This Handy Holder organizer keeps my scissors, tweezers, bone folder, palette knife, and brushes within arm’s reach. I love it so much… I own two!
They sit front and center on my desk.
12. Best Work Surface Organizer: Craft Stax
One tool I reach for constantly while creating is Craft Stax. There are several sizes and they’re perfect for organizing, protecting, and corralling all of my crafting components as I work.
The photo above with my Fergus Felt components is the Stash Stax. I also love this size for storing cardstock.
I use Craft Stax to hold die-cut pieces, partially assembled cards, sentiments, and embellishments so nothing gets lost or damaged mid-project. They’re especially helpful when I’m working on detailed die-cut cards or stepping away and coming back later — everything stays exactly where I left it.
The photo above is the Medium Craft Stax. 4.8″ x 6″
Craft Stax also make it easy to stack multiple projects on my desk without creating chaos (always a win!). Simple, smart, and incredibly useful — this is one of those tools you don’t realize you need until you have it… and then you can’t imagine crafting without it.
13. Best Die Organizer: Hero Arts Magnetic Sheets & Envelopes
These are absolute must-haves for staying organized:
- Magnetic sheets keep dies secure
- Labeled envelopes make everything easy to find
Two Sizes:
If organization is your goal in 2026, start here.
14. Best Tool for Stenciling & Stamping: Waffle Flower Sticky Mat
I never stencil without a Waffle Flower Sticky Mat. I even wrote a full blog post about them — which turned out to be my most popular post of 2024!
👉 Find all the details in my original post
Sticky Grip Mats are perfect for stenciling and stamping. And they work great in your Misti and Mini Misti Stamp Positioners…no need for magnets anymore!
Grip Mat Options:
- Waffle Flowers Store
- 7.5″ x 11″ Grip Mat (Biggest mat)
- 4″ x 4″ Grip Mat (Smallest Size, great for holding ink pads)
- Misti Grip Mat
- Misti Stamp Positioner
- Mini Misti Stamp Positioner
- Stencil Grip Mat Bundle
- Stamper Grip Mat Bundle
- Waffle Flower’s Grip Mat Bundle
Final Thoughts
These 14 products form the backbone of my cardmaking in 2026. They help me craft more efficiently, choose colors with confidence, and enjoy the creative process even more.
If you’re building or refreshing your craft room this year, I hope this list gives you a helpful starting point — and maybe a little inspiration too. 💛
I
kennyscards.com 